Queens Park Rangers are reportedly keen for defender Anton Ferdinand to shake hands with Chelsea's John Terry in a bid to ease tensions between the pair before Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie.
All eyes will be on the duo in the clash at Loftus Road this weekend, as they come face-to-face for the first time since England skipper Terry was charged with racially abusing Ferdinand in the Premier League meeting between the two sides in October. Those placing FA Cup bets online will be hoping the game passes off without incident.
Both clubs are expected to issue a joint statement this week to appeal for calm ahead of the potentially-explosive Cup tie, while Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has already tried to play down the significance of the match in the light of the allegations currently standing over Terry.
Normally before top-level matches in England, the two sets of players all shake hands before kickoff but, such is furore surrounding the Terry-Ferdinand row, it is unclear whether the two players will come together before kickoff.
There had been reports that both QPR boss Mark Hughes and his counterpart, Villas-Boas, were debating whether to include the two players in their sides for the match but the signs are at the moment that both will play.
Terry denies the allegations against him and is due to attend a hearing at West London magistrates court on February 1 and has vowed to clear his name.
Saturday's fourth-round game will kick off at noon, partly on the advice of police.
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